XD 9mm 4" vrs 5" - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Alfb · 08-30-2008, 01:10 PM

First off, this is my first post here. In fact, I have very little experience with handguns and do not nor have ever owned one. I have been around guns for most of my life but hunting has been my biggest use of guns until now. I have decided to purchase an XD 9mm and am trying to decide the specific model. My interest is mainly for shooting at my local range (maybe IDPA). I am not currently interested in carrying. My most pressing question is whether to go tactical or service. So I ask, is there any real benefit to a 5" model? My main concern is accuracy but please tell me if there are other considerations I have not considered. I know there is the weight issue but I don't really expect the difference to be significant enough to matter to me. Thanks for the help.

Kaboom · 08-30-2008, 01:49 PM

For me I don't see the use for the Service model, the SC is as accurate and the Tactical has a longer sight radius which might be helpful in competition. Someone here posted they were using the SC in competition and were doing quite well.

**XD9Sub** · 08-30-2008, 02:03 PM

For range and competition, I prefer the 5" model, better sight radius.

By the way, welcome to the forum!

Archer1945 · 08-30-2008, 10:19 PM

In IDPA/IPSC type shooting there is really very little difference between shooting a 4" and a 5" gun. At the distances shot the sight radius does not make that much difference. Being able to concentrate on the front sight and a smooth trigger pull will be far more important than an extra inch of sight radius, afterall you're shooting at a circle that is 8" in diameter at a max of about 25 yards. Now if you are competing in Bull's-eye competition where you are trying to hit a 10-X ring that is about 1" in diameter out to distances of 50 yards the extra sight radius does come into play. Even then it might not be a factor unless you are shooting in a competition where you are restricted to iron sights. With dot/optical sights becoming very common in some types of shooting the length of the gun really isn't a factor anymore.

What is more important to think about is which gun feels better in your hands because that is the one you'll shoot better with.

**mhillsing23** · 08-31-2008, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaboom

For me I don't see the use for the Service model, the SC is as accurate and the Tactical has a longer sight radius which might be helpful in competition. Someone here posted they were using the SC in competition and were doing quite well.

Blasphemy!!!

I LOVE my 4" Service. While the Tactical will technically have better accuracy to the site picture, that is still dependent on the shooter, and it doesn't make a difference for some. Different strokes for different folks. I much prefer the balance of the Service to the Tactical.

AsianSniper · 08-31-2008, 10:51 AM

If I were you I'd wait for the XDm to come out in 9mm. I don't think you will have to wait that long and it holds more rounds or so they say... Anyway, I think that the XDm will probably be 4.5 inch barrel so you would be right in the middle. If you still wanna know the big difference between the 4 and 5in guns.. you already named one, the accuracy. But also the recoil in the 5 inch will probably be less than in the 4in due to the weight of the gun. Concealability will be more tough in the 5 inch because of the added inch. I guess you are not LEO. I was gonna tell you that its hard to find holsters almost impossible for the 5in. The 4in is a lot easier and the light mount is easy too. Oh btw the XDm has three slots for an attachment where the XD has two only. Might be something to consider if you have smaller hands and need to position the light closer to the trigger guard. That's about it. I am waiting for the XDm 9mm in bi-tone. When that comes out im selling my Kimber Custom II. But don't worry I have another 1911, TLE/RL. Bought that when it first came out. Its nice that the XD's are so much cheaper than mine and probably handle alittle better.

ThumperMX113 · 08-31-2008, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhillsing23

Blasphemy!!!

I LOVE my 4" Service. While the Tactical will technically have better accuracy to the site picture, that is still dependent on the shooter, and it doesn't make a difference for some. Different strokes for different folks. I much prefer the balance of the Service to the Tactical.

I agree completely.

Alfb · 08-31-2008, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AsianSniper

If I were you I'd wait for the XDm to come out in 9mm. I don't think you will have to wait that long and it holds more rounds or so they say...

Yea, 19+1 from what I hear. Anyone have any idea on how long before the XDm comes out in 9mm? I have considered this option but am not willing to wait 6 months.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AsianSniper

I guess you are not LEO.

No.

I picked the XD 9mm to begin with simply due to feel. It felt good in my hand. I did not dislike other guns like 1911s but this just felt better. Not very scientific but from what I see, a lot of gun choice is not real scientific. Since I have little to no experience with handguns, I had little to go on for my choice beyond the thought that feel and reliability was important. From what I have seen and read, the XD is a reliable gun. Anyone disagree with that conclusion?

BentLink · 09-01-2008, 06:06 AM

I'll add some weight to the trend here. The 5" will help with more sight radius. This is useful at longer ranges by helping you see any misalignment. The extra weight out front will also dampen the gun's movement during recoil relative to the shorter barrel. In concept, this will help get sights back on target quickly when shooting rapid strings. Both of these are pretty small factors. If you're after precision, though, they may be big enough.

08-30-2008, 01:10 PM	#1
Alfb XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 2	XD 9mm 4" vrs 5" First off, this is my first post here. In fact, I have very little experience with handguns and do not nor have ever owned one. I have been around guns for most of my life but hunting has been my biggest use of guns until now. I have decided to purchase an XD 9mm and am trying to decide the specific model. My interest is mainly for shooting at my local range (maybe IDPA). I am not currently interested in carrying. My most pressing question is whether to go tactical or service. So I ask, is there any real benefit to a 5" model? My main concern is accuracy but please tell me if there are other considerations I have not considered. I know there is the weight issue but I don't really expect the difference to be significant enough to matter to me. Thanks for the help.

08-30-2008, 02:03 PM	#3
XD9Sub XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Norcross, GA Posts: 1,043	For range and competition, I prefer the 5" model, better sight radius. By the way, welcome to the forum! __________________ "We will always remember. We will always be proud. We will always be prepared, so we may always be free" Ronald Reagan, June 6th, 1984, Normandy France

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08-30-2008, 10:19 PM	#4
Archer1945 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Eastern MO Posts: 355	In IDPA/IPSC type shooting there is really very little difference between shooting a 4" and a 5" gun. At the distances shot the sight radius does not make that much difference. Being able to concentrate on the front sight and a smooth trigger pull will be far more important than an extra inch of sight radius, afterall you're shooting at a circle that is 8" in diameter at a max of about 25 yards. Now if you are competing in Bull's-eye competition where you are trying to hit a 10-X ring that is about 1" in diameter out to distances of 50 yards the extra sight radius does come into play. Even then it might not be a factor unless you are shooting in a competition where you are restricted to iron sights. With dot/optical sights becoming very common in some types of shooting the length of the gun really isn't a factor anymore. What is more important to think about is which gun feels better in your hands because that is the one you'll shoot better with.

08-31-2008, 10:51 AM	#6
AsianSniper XDTalk Newbie Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 22	If I were you I'd wait for the XDm to come out in 9mm. I don't think you will have to wait that long and it holds more rounds or so they say... Anyway, I think that the XDm will probably be 4.5 inch barrel so you would be right in the middle. If you still wanna know the big difference between the 4 and 5in guns.. you already named one, the accuracy. But also the recoil in the 5 inch will probably be less than in the 4in due to the weight of the gun. Concealability will be more tough in the 5 inch because of the added inch. I guess you are not LEO. I was gonna tell you that its hard to find holsters almost impossible for the 5in. The 4in is a lot easier and the light mount is easy too. Oh btw the XDm has three slots for an attachment where the XD has two only. Might be something to consider if you have smaller hands and need to position the light closer to the trigger guard. That's about it. I am waiting for the XDm 9mm in bi-tone. When that comes out im selling my Kimber Custom II. But don't worry I have another 1911, TLE/RL. Bought that when it first came out. Its nice that the XD's are so much cheaper than mine and probably handle alittle better.

09-01-2008, 06:06 AM	#9
BentLink XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Posts: 159	I'll add some weight to the trend here. The 5" will help with more sight radius. This is useful at longer ranges by helping you see any misalignment. The extra weight out front will also dampen the gun's movement during recoil relative to the shorter barrel. In concept, this will help get sights back on target quickly when shooting rapid strings. Both of these are pretty small factors. If you're after precision, though, they may be big enough.